The Civics & Patriotism Committees, headed respectively by Stan Jackson and Dave Bramman, is responsible for activities facilitating Assembly members’ and families’ participation in our American democracy. One of the most active Assembly committees, it has this year organized a series of quarterly events.
The inaugural Freedom is not Free event was held Saturday, May 17. To honor and recognize fallen veterans on Veterans’ Day, blessing of a park dedicated to fallen veterans was performed by Fourth Degree Knight and Deacon Rev. Mr. Michael Nicolai.
To Be a Patriot application
The second annual Blessing of the Bikes was held Saturday, May 10, at St. Peter in Kirkwood, hosted by Kirkwood Council. Any vehicle which has a bicycle-type wheel was eligible: bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles, unicycles, and wheelchairs. Blessing bikes was Fr. Paul Gins of the Order of Friar Servants of Mary, Pastor at Seven Holy Founders; St. Peter Associate Pastor Fr. Michael Esswein; and Navy Chaplain CDR Fr. Joseph Coffee.
To Be a Patriot application
The Eighth Annual Welcome Home Veterans Event which was to have been held Saturday, May 17, has been postponed until further notice.
Saturday, October 26, 2013 was the Second Annual Lest We Forget ceremony, recognizing veterans with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from their service. Proceeds from a barbecue, hosted by Incarnate Word Council #9981 on Saturday and the preceding three days with the assistance of many other Councils and Assemblies, benefited This Able Veteran, a charity which trains and provides service dogs to veterans who need them. At the ceremony, the Honor Guard presented the colors, and Moose McArthur talked about his experience and how his dog has helped him following his injury.
To Be a Patriot Award Application, pt. 2. pt. 3
Saturday, April 13, 2013 was the Blesssing of the Bikes at Kirkwood Park. Three priests and a presbyterian minister also representing Paraquad blessed motorcycles, bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, wheelchairs, and strollers – anything with a bicycle type wheel. The Honor Guard provided the colors for the morning ceremony.
To Be a Patriot award application
In December, 2012, the Committee organized the Frontline Faith MP3 Player project. Local Councils collected the names of active duty military members or parishioners, and paid for customized MP3 players, the orders for which were combined and coordinated by the Assembly. Each service member received a package mailed directly from their home parish Council, containing a Christmas card thanking the service member for his / her service, and an MP3 player with a five hour playlist of devotional tracks, including a recitation of the Holy Rosary, in time for Christmas.
To Be a Patriot award application
On September 8, 2012, the Committee organized a recognition event for veterans who received a traumatic brain injury as a result of their military service. Five veterans afflicted with traumatic brain injury, identified with the cooperation of member Councils, received a certificate of recognition and appreciation, and Dr. Tyler Roskos, an expert on traumatic brain injury, gave a short educational presentation. In addition, the honorees were able to express their own words of thanks. The Honor Guard provided the colors. Donations received during the event supported the Fisher House at Jefferson Barracks Veterans Administration Medical Center.
To Be a Patriot award application
2013 Civics Award application vol. 1 vol. 2 vol. 3
2014 Civics Awards application vol. 1 vol. 2 vol. 3 vol. 4 vol. 5 vol. 6